International E-publication: Publish Projects, Dissertation, Theses, Books, Souvenir, Conference Proceeding with ISBN.  International E-Bulletin: Information/News regarding: Academics and Research

Women in Electoral Politics in Nagaland, India

Author Affiliations

  • 1 Dept. of Philosophy and Comperative Religion, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, Bolpur, Birbhum West Bengal Pin- 731235, INDIA

Int. Res. J. Social Sci., Volume 3, Issue (11), Pages 47-50, November,14 (2014)

Abstract

The Nagaland is one of the smallest state of India which belong to the north eastern region.Nagaland Lok Sabha constituency is the only Lok Sabha parliamentary constituency in Nagaland state in North east India and covers the entire area of the state. It participated in its first general election in 1967 after joining the Union in 1963. The Indian National Congress (INC) and the Nagaland People's Front (NPP) are the major political parties of the state. Some other political parties that are making their presence felt include the AITC, the JD(S), and the independents. The total number of voters in Nagaland is 11,74,633, of which 5,94,572 are male and 5,80,091 are female.One of the most trying issues in electoral studies in Nagaland is the discourse of women’s exclusion from the electoral process. There is a visible trend of men dominating the political terrain across the board, whereas the participation and representation of women in politics is invisible. This result in women being outside the centers of decision-making in terms of influence and status that is available to men. Women in Nagaland have been able to strengthen their political visibility only as voters. Indian constitution grants women full political rights, equal to those of men. Women can vote, run for office and hold ministerial and higher positions. According to the Reports of the Committee on Status of Women, three main indicators can be used to assess political status of women , viz., (i) participation in the political process as voters and candidates in elections; (ii) political attitudes such as awareness, commitment and involvement in politics and autonomy in political action and behaviour; and (iii) their impact on the political process. Naga women have successfully pushed for increased participation in many fields of activities. However, one area where their participation is conspicuously missing is in the political arena. The context of their political status remains an open question. Relative to their share in the population, they remain outsiders in politics. Even after more than four decades of statehood, Nagaland is the only state which has never had a woman MLA. This reinforces the perception that electoral politics in Nagaland continue to be dominated by men. A domination that should not really be, because of the almost equal proportion of the two genders in the population. If half of the states enfranchised population is kept out of the political structures of the state, one cannot talk of democracy.This paper contextualizes debates over the political status of women within the complex political and cultural space in Nagaland. The structural, institutional and situational barriers in the context of women’s political participation and representation are discussed.

References

  1. The Hindu, Calcutta, March 9, (2013)
  2. Moamenla Amer-Political status of women in Nagaland, (2010)
  3. Report on the First general election to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, 1964, Govt of Nagaland, (2008)
  4. Statistical Report on General Elections 1964 to the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland Election Commission India, New Delhi, (2008)
  5. Toshimenla Jamir-Gender Dimensions of electoral politics in Nagaland, (2010)